Lock



Feb. 12, .1935. M coRMAc LOCK Filed Jan. 31, 1935 INVENTOI? n'rrbmvsr GWQV Patented Feb. 12 1935 1100K? wat-mi J. moms, Pmrsaapma, m. Application'januaryfz'l iessg serin' na- 654 ,36 socialists- (out-46 Th'is invention relates to the construction of locks, and more-particularly. to the type known as slide tumblerlockswherein are mounted'a series of tumblers retracted into the, cylinder upon the insertion of the keyand projecting from the-cylinder into -a lockingg-roove in the enclosingcasing when the key is withdrawn and the cylinder isin lockingsposition. a

This type of lookiis ordinarily employedffor holding inoperative the ignition system, of: an automobile, but my invention isnot particularly limited. to that'fiel'd-for it is adaptable to this type of=look when used for lock-ing doors or any other'devioeto which such locks are adapted to be used. y, 1 w

In locks of this, typeas usually constructed, the lookbarrel must be turned to the locked position 'to enable the vowner,towithdraw the'key, In- '"general, my improved lock maybe and-pref erably is constructed to operate in like manner Itmay be usedto preventthetheft or-unauthorized-useof an automobilewhether it beattaehed tothe= ignition system,- thegear" shifting lever; the'brake-lever or clutch, or :the door ofa closed.

In general, the 'operation'iof mylock is preferably like that of locks of this type now on the market, that is 'to' say, when the key is -with drawn from' the tumbler cylinder, the lockis in locked position: When the key is inserted-and the tumblers' are thereby withdrawn from the locking-slot in the casing, the axial rotationiof the cylinder in one direction; e. g;, to the right or clockwise; is effective to close an ignition circuit, and when-the cylihd'erisrotated in the other direction, e; g;, oountercloclmrise to the limit of its movement, it permits ofthe withdrawal of the tumbler cylinder bodily; from the casing, 'upon the removal of a -retainingfl'screw;

It'is therefore one of the objects 'of'thisinv'en tion to'provi'de a tumbler cylinder whiohim'ay-be operated in the. conventional way 'for' controlling the circuit of'an automobile'andwhich may be substituted in old *locks" for thertumblerrcylintiers withwhich they iii'ay have been' 'eqiiipped, so that'iiiy'tumbler'cylinder may bem'anufac 'tiird and sold as a'unit-and readily in'stalledin existing'iequipment. r

Bill; heretofore all the" locks Of this Slidin tumbler type have been ineirectiveito prevent thepiciri-ngof the lock and the theft or unauthor iz'eduseoi automobiles. They ofier practically nopi-oteenon against the professional thiefdi iock' ioker. These expert'switiraa ieeeot access to that end forturning it.

wire," bent to the, s ape of hairpin or with a we; comprising a ring with a mum handle and two stifl wire pins projecting outwardly from the iace'ofthering, asdo the prongs of a s anner,

insert suchpr'ongs into the oppositeends of. the

key slot-oi theibarrel and apply a gentle pressure tending to rotate the barrel from locked mun: locked positions 'andconseqii'eh'tly'irom open circuitto closed circuit, position;-

Pressure having thus been" applied tothe tum bler cylinder, the expert inserts a thin pieeeoi stiff metal or a small-rod with an'uptu'rned endand successively slides the tumblers from looked to unlocked'position, that is, he'pressesthe'prol5 jeotingends ofthem back into the tumbler cylinder, and'the slight pressure exertedpnthe'ehd oi the spanner-like tool causes the endsof-tne tumblers to bearagainst the wall or the locking slot with so much frictionnthat the light springs; tendihgto thrust the tu bier'stoutwardiy, are "un-J able to overcqrne it. Thus it is that'witligreat ease and rapidity and with these simple tools and by suitable.manipulations; all these locks hereitoilore usedand of "this type, for'the purpose of 25 protecting. an automobile, have been inefiectual, They can be picked in this wayin a comparative 1y: few minutes. A-iurther v and more important object ofn'iy invention is therefore to provide a-look which cannotbe-pieked in the mannerabove described or, for that'matter, in any way-without a key,

thathas yet'been discovered. I

A iurther "object of this-inventionis to provide a; lockof the typeabove-described'with atunibler cylinder comprising two independently r0;

tatable alined parts or sections, whereby even if the tumblers in the exposed end of the cylinder, where the key'is inserted, are lifted by a. loo pickingftool, in the manner above described and the exposed end of the cylinder is slightlyrotate'd;v the rotation of I the said'part prevents a. similar manipulation of the tumblers-in the sec 0nd orrear section of the cylinder-sand prevents A furtherobjeet of. this invention is tomake the tumblercylinder in two independentlyirotat able'iparts or sections wherebya. slight' rotation of the exposed forward eiidalone, effects a positive locking of one or more oi the tumblers in the second or r'e'ar section of the cylinder by inserting again the rear secti'on through one or'moreot the tumblers-or the "sec-(moor real-section, thereby making it impossible to'li-it the tumblers out of the ioeking groove by 'in'sertinis a flat stripof metal or to apply a pressure tothe rear part tending to rotate it.

A further object of my invention is to make a, tumbler cylinder of the characteristics above described and attributed. thereto without making .the structuresubstantially more complex'or with a substantially greater number-of parts than are present in existing tumbler cylinders thereby making it possible to produce tumbler cylinder units embodying my invention without substan- 'tial increase in the" cost of manufacturing.

Other objects of myinventio'nfwill appear in the specification and claims below.

In the drawing forming a part of this specifica tion and in which the same reference characters, are employed throughout the various views to;

designate the same parts, f p

.Fig. 1, is, in general, -a verticallongitudinal section through the axis of my improved tumbler cylinder, the same beingshown as mounted within a'substantially. cylindrical casing in which the cylindermay be rotated ofakeytherein. V

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tumblercylinder shown in Fig. I removed from the casing.

. Fig. 3 is'la fragmentaryplan viewiofthe under its iaxis by insertion side of the rear endofthe cylinder shownin Fig.2.

taken on the line 6+6 of Fig.1.

Fig. 7 is a like sectional view taken onthe line 7-7 on Fig.1. r v V I i .Fig. 8 is a similar verticalsectional viewon the line 881of-Fig.;1;' and 1 j Fig.9 is'a perspective View of-one of the coupling m s-1i Y a I In Figs. 5 and8 is indicatedhow apair of spaced pins inserted into the keyhole for the purpose of applying rotative pressure to the-exposed end of the cylinderis noteifecti've toapplysaid pressure nels 22 extending longitudinally from'the front .to the rear section of thetumbler cylinder. 1 is shown in a conventional-way a lock casing lprovided with a cylindricalbea'rin'g '2'in which'the outer cylindrical surface of thetumbler cylinder to a predetermined position referred to again below.

f The casing 1 is also provided withlongitudinally extending slots 6 and 7. diametrically opposite,

. into theformer (6) ofwhich the plungers-are seated whenthe lock is locked and into the latter I of which (7) the tumblers may.project-'and reciprocate as a key is inserted or withdrawn from the tumbler cylinder.

' When thelock is 'one'fromwhichthe key; once inserted, cannot beiwithdrawn', except when the tumbler barrel is in locked position, these .two

grooves 6-"? are all the longitudinal grooves required; but this inventionuisx-not to be construed as limited to allock operable in this manner unless 'so'limitedin-the claims. The-exposed end. ofithe cylinder may be providedwith the usualhardened. steel cap 8 having the usual slot therethroughorthe shape shown. in

Fig for thelnsertioniof a key. .In this way, the

exposedend of thecylin'deridoesnot afford any extensive surface to which could be attached such a sturdy twisting tool, such as a Stillson wrench,

in an attempt to shear the tumblers. The said end is smooth and may be'fiush with the end of .the casing 1. v V V J In the drawing I have indicated the tumbler cylinder-as provided with four tumblers 9 and one tumbler 9*, all of which may be of theusual' construction except the tumbler 9 as will be referred to again below. -Each tumbler is provided with aFlightspring 10 tending'toforce the endsi 'of the tumblers outwardly from the tumbler cylinder for engagement with the locking slot 6. I r

invention therefore resides more particularly in the tumbler cylinder 3 which Iconstruct in two parts, viz., the forwardpart or section 3 and the rear part or section 3 in each'of which are mounted any suitable number of tumblers '9. The body portions of these sections3 and 3 are, generally speaking, ofthe same diameter and fit within thecylindrical bearing 2 of the casing 1.

The 'rearend'v of thei forward' section 3 is proj Y vided with 'a narrow circumferential channel 11 andbetween'said chann'elll and therear end of said section, the diameter ofthe flange12 so formed is slightly reducedQArbu'nd this-flange.

12 I'fit two likecoupling members 13, eachhaving a substantially cylindricals'ectiom -14 fitting against-the outer cylindrical surfac'eiof the flange 12 and-having a flange 15 fittingrinto the groove or channel 11. 'These two coupling members l3 are diametrically oppositely positionedon 'the rear end 17 of the cylinder'section 3 and thefront end 18 of the rear cylinder section 3 These coupling members'a re' of preferably thin sheet metal "and from the-cylindrical section or flange .12 with thefianges 15 fitting into'channels 11 and'providing a' narrow space 16 between the I The forward end-of the rear section 3 ispreferably provided with diametrically disposedchanface 18 of the rear'section-3 'and these channels terminate in inwardly extending recesses23- as clearly appears from-Figs. land 2.

' :Itwillthus be-seeri that'when the coupling members 13 havebeen placed over the flange 12 to substantially enclose the-flange the tongue 19 'maybefitted into the channel'or recess 20 of the,

rear member 3 and the downturned ends 21 fitted into the reces'ses23. To permanently assemblethe parts in this relationship,- the metal of the rear-member 3 adjacent the side recess20. inthe tongues-19; may be expanded by a' suitable blow to form locking tongues 24 substantially fitting the contour'of the side recess 20and the parts are thus permanently secured togetherin unitary re;- V

:bler cylinder 3 for insertion into thelcasingl fitting into the cylindrical bearings 2 thereof.

lationship. The unit as a whole forms the tum.-

With a tumbler casing3 consistingof'thetwo parts 3 and 3? thus connected together by the coupling-members 13, I.have.thus provideda lock :which is practically unpickableyfor wereirtwo stiff wires to be insertedin' the forward. end of .the key-slot 2'? of the forward -member Seat 25 and the tumblers 9 in the section 3*- lifted; as above described, to bringthe endsof thetumblers but without imparting any rotative -movenrent to the rear end-3 of thetumbler cylinder, and it is the'rotation of the rear end' -which controls the locking bolt, the electricswitcm or whatever other memberthat is controlled by the lock there by. But such rotation of theforward p'ort'ion'3 of the tumbler cylinder cutsofi access to the'for Ward end-of the rear section3 i' lt is practically impossible to insert a tool', li kethe wire's' 25 through the section 3 with 'the openings through the tumblers 9 in different-positions; as they are in these locks, to brin'g theaends era stifi wire into operative engagemenVwith-the forward end of the key opening 27 through uie rear section'fi Because the opening 27mm the rear section 3 is widerlthanthe opening 27 in the forward section'3 a wire long' 'enouglji to reach to the forwardnd lii of the rear-section 3 would not contact with the wall of the slot -27 -to exert any substantiaLrotative pressurepn the member 3*. The wires at'25 would' only en gage' the wall" of the slot -2-7 'after I the forward section 3 has been rotatedthrougha substah tialua'ngle with respect-to the rear section li a'slis clearly shown in Fig. 8.

L I have, however, provided-an additional mesh-:- anisrn in therear section 3 and operative, upon the slightestrotative movement of the portion 3 with respect to the part 3 to effect a positive locking of the forward'tumbler 9 of the-tumblers in the rear section 3 of the tumbler cylinder 31 "In the forward face '18 of ltherearsection 3 I provide at smaller cylindrical recess 28 extend ing parallel to the axis'of the cylinder-3 at'the bottom of which isfacoaxial 'smaller hole29 ex= tending through the member- 3 to -the slotin which the plunger 9 slides: In these holes 28 and 29 I mount a plunger headtdhavingaplun'g er stern extending rearwardly from the plunger so and'fitting :thesmaller h'ole29; alig'lit coiled spring 32 beingin therhoie' 28-"and-sul r-ounding the stem 31. I also provide the"tum= bler 9 with a hole 33 of'substzmt'ially'the same diameter as the hole 29 and inLaIinementLthere-J with when the tumbler 9? is in lockingipositionas shcwnin Figs.5and.8. I 1

In the fiat-rear face of the forward member or portion 3 -of the tumbler cylinden I-vprovide a recess 34 having a substantially-sphericalisure face in alinement with the) outerpsubstantially spherical surface 30? of the plunger ,30--wheni the tumblers 9 and 9 ofibothsectionsaarerseatediin the locking groove or slot 6 asz shownin =Fig.-::1: In this position, a proper keycanbe inserted into the keyhole 2'. 2'7 through bcthsections B and 3 and the key will lift" all the-ttumblers out 20f the locking groove or slotandthe cylinderwwill be free to rotate. M l p If, however, one undertook-to pick theg'forw'ard end section 3 and even succeeded in rotatingthe forward section 3 theslightestlrotation of the forward section, will move the recess 34 out;-; of registration with the plunger ,30 thereby depressing it into the rear-section 3 against the tension of the spring 32, and the stem 31 entering the recess or hole 33 in the tumbler 9 irremovably looks it so that it cannot be moved or withdrawn from its locking slot 6 no matter how much pressure may be applied. against the surface 26' of the opening 26 in the tumbler 9' by any instrument inserted through the openings 26 in the tumblers 9 of the forward section 3 It will be consequently impossible to rotate the rear section 3 to open or close the circuit which may be controlled by the rear section 3 In orderthat the constructi'on illustrated in the drawing maybe fully understood, I 'Will briefly describe themanher ofassernbling the tumbler cylinder'fi within the casing 15* A k'ey having been inserted 27 -2!7 'to retract all'thetumblers to a position wherein they are' with-drawn flush with-or below the outer cylindrical-fsurface of the tumbler plunger; the tumbler cylindenin substantially the position shown in Figi'l, is inserted into the forin the keyways Ward-open end 'of the casing 1, for in that position theslot-35 at the rear lender the rear'sectionwill he m-registration with the irremovable stud '5 thus permitting the cylinder to-move to the position shownin Fig; i f 'lhe'reupon the removable screw 4: may'- be inserted:- to project i into the circumferen tial channel 36"al'so. nearthe inner or,

rear end of the rear section 3*. Soassembled; the

the rear-section 3 as the positionof the two parts 7 of the keyhole; as shown 'in Fig; 8, plainly demonstrate. I is substantially. impossible to insert the -prongsr so: far through; the key-slot 27 andthekeyj-slot 27? to effect any rotative pressure-against therw'alls of; the keyhole or slot 27 xMoreover, as is usualqin these locks, the openings 26 through the tumblers are disposed at different distances longitudinally of the tumblers and/theq-tumblers .9 in theforwardend or section-Beiofthecylinder will bein a position to interfere with the insertion; :of' a Wire orprong through the :forward section 3? rtorthe forward end ofathe'rearsction 3 Thus it is my: improved lockiiszpracticallyunpickableeven when the little locking bolt 39 is not employed, but I prefer tqemplqy this loclging bolt orplungerBObecause of the addedsecurity afforded by the positive lockingpf theitumbler 9 to thePrear section 3 o t-the cylinder. 1 '4 Having thus described-myinvention, what I claim and desire to protect by} L e'ttersfli'atent of th LUnited state's is:

"1; Ina 10c plurality" of iciiljinuriea sections in axial annemerit and in endto end contact with each other,

a lo'ckafble tumbler in onscreen sections, and

means,- actuatedby the rotation'of one section withrespect to the othen section to lock said it is mount'edi 2. In a locking element, the combination of a cylinder having a plurality of cylindrical sections, tumblers in said sections, slidable in said sections, means for locking one or more of said tumblers against sliding movement, said locking means being operative upon the relative move ment of one of said sections with respect to the other section.

tumbler rigid with respectto the'section-in' which 7 mg element, the, combination of, a'

3. In a tumbler cylinder lock, the combination of a casing, a tumbler cylinder and means to retain said Y cylinder within said casing, said cylinder comprising aforward section, a rear section, tumblers said sections, and means connecting the adjacentends'of said sections providing for the independent free rotation of said sections about a common axis when the sections are unlocked from :said, casing; and means topositively locka tumbler of, the rear section rigidly with respect to its. section when- I said forward section lSIOtBtGd' in said casing ''sectionsabout a common axis, and means 'to' positively lock a tumbler of the rear sectionrigidly with respect to said section when said for with respect to said rearsection. 7

4, In a tumbler cylinder lock, thefcombination of a casing,a tumbler cylinder and means toretain said cylinder within said casing, said cylinder comprising a forward :section, arear section, key controlled tumblers in saidsections,

-means connecting theadjacent ends-of said sections for the independent freerotation of said ward section isrotated in said casing, independe ently with respect to said rear-section, said means comprising a bolt mounted in the rear section and siidable longitudinally thereof and spring-pressed outwardly from the front end of said section against the rear end, of saidforward section, the rear end of the forward section being provided, with a recess in which the head 'ofsaid; bolt rests when the tumblers of both sections are locked to said casing, the rotation of said forward section with respect to said rear section being operative to force the head of said bolt out of said recess and the bolt itself rearwardly and into positive locking engagementwith a tumbler in said rear. section.T V

5; In a tumbler cylinder lock, the combination I of a casing, a tumbler cylinder and means to retain the cylinder within said casing, said cylinder comprising a forward section, a rear section and tumblers normally projecting-from said sections, means connecting the adjacent ends: of

said sections and providing for the independent free rotation of said sections about a common axis when said sections are unlocked from said casing, and means to"- positively look a tumbler projecting from therear section rigidly with respect to'its section when said forward section I is rotated with respect to said rear section.

6. In a tumbler cylinder lock, the combination with a casing, a tumbler cylinder and means to retainsaid cylinder within said casing; said cylinder comprising'aforward section, a rear section and tumblers in said sections, said sections being axially alined'andfsnbstantiallyin abutting relationship and provided with alined slots extending through said sections and" pro viding keyw-aryither in flf'rear section being substantially wider than that in the forward section, whereby, except bythe insertion of a proper key, pressure cannot be appliedthrough the slot in the forward section to the side wall of'the' slot in the second section until the forward section shall have been first rotated sub- I stantially'with respect to said second section.

a 7; In a tumbler} cylinder lock, the combinae tion with a casing, a tumblercylinder and means to retain the said cylinder; within said casing,

said cylinder comprising aforward section and a rear section, tumblersin saidv sections and a means connecting the adjacent ends of said sections'ii'or the independent rotation ofsaid sections with respect to each other about a common axis when said sections are unlocked, said sections being provided with jalined slots extending through, said sections and providing a keyway,l V r 1 the slots in'the rear being wider than that in the forward section, whereby, except by the insertion of a proper key, pressure cannot be applied'through said slot in the forward section to the side wall of the slot in therear section until the forward section shall have been-unlocked and substantially rotated with respect to said second section. v 7

8. A a locking element comprising: combinationga pairofqrelatively rotatable, alined, substantially abutting cylindrical sections having tumblers therein, and means-for positively lock: ing a tumbler {of one section rigid with respect tothe section in which it is mounted, upon the rotation of the other ofsaid: sections with respect thereto. a

tion with respectto each other and holds the tumbler-s in-retracted position, the'i-side walls of the keyhole slot inthe rear section being spaced further apart from each other than are the side wallsoithekeyhole slot in the forward section; 7

10. In a locking element, the'combination of a casing, a cylinder mounted in said casing and having cylindrical sections axially alined and arranged so as to permit rotation thereof with respect'toveach other, alined keyholeslots' in said sections for receiving a key, which, when inserted therein, holds thesections against'relative movement, .the sidewalls of the keyhole slot in the rearsectionbei'ngspaced further apart from each other than are the-sidewalls of the said slot" in the forward section, and tumblers inzsaidfsection for'holding said sections against rotation with respect to said casing, said key, when in-,

serted being operative to retract said tumblers to permit of the simultaneous rotation of said section with respect to said casing, and lugs projecting inwardly from the side walls of the wide slot in the rear section to contact with opposite sides of said'keywhen inserted in said keyhole slot.

' WILLIAM J. MCCORMAC. 

